APS Indo-Pacific Program Keynote

APS INDO-PACIFIC

For me, Indonesia has always felt close.

Not just as a Western Australian where Indonesia is closer than Canberra.

At Lance Holt Primary School I learnt, but did not retain, both Italian and Bahasa Indonesia.

Respecting the migration that helped build Western Australia in the 1950s and the cultural relationships that would define our region for the future.

At Curtin University I loved working with the international student committee to deliver, Pasar Malam.

A night market to celebrate the thousands of international students who make up our universities .

And I have had the opportunity to travel to Papua New Guinea and Indonesia as an adviser to the then- Australian Prime Minister, now Ambassador Rudd.

What stays with me is this: the welcome for Australians is always warm.

We must never take that for granted.

And these are not ‘new’ relationships.

You, as Australian Public Servants, are stewards of these relationships that are enduring.

Our people-to-people links get deeper every year.

Through education, tourism, and through our public institutions.

It is the role of everyone in this room to make these relationships stronger for the future.

And that is exactly why we are here.

INDONESIA AND PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Australia’s diplomatic relationship with Indonesia began in 1949.

Australia’s support for Indonesian independence was not half-hearted.

Australia was Indonesia’s strongest supporter.

And in 2025 we will celebrate 50 years of Papua New Guinea’s independence.

We are physically connected with a shared maritime border.

At any time there are some 10,000 Australians in Papua New Guinea.

And at any time there are some 10,000 Papua New Guineans in Australia.

Our history is shared through Kokoda, independence and so much more.

So again, all of us in this room are stewards of these longstanding formal and informal ties.

Our stories are tied together, and we are stronger for it.

WHY ARE WE HERE?

Australia has significant global interests.

We take our responsibilities seriously too.

Australia’s engagement in the Indo-Pacific region is more critical than ever.

You as the Australian Public Service play a vital role in delivering effective policy and regulatory advice.

Government needs you to understand the complex geostrategic and economic issues that impact our region.

The Albanese government has put Asian-engagement front and centre in its policy agenda.

In January this year, during his trip to Papua New Guinea, the Prime Minister said:

“We live in the fastest growing region of the world in human history.”

This focus was driven home in September 2023 during his trip to Indonesia, when he said:  

“We're invested in this diverse and vibrant region, our shared region.”

“Australia must do more to seize the opportunities our region.”

I share the Prime Minister’s enthusiasm for our region’s exciting prospects.

Australia’s prosperity, security and economic future are intimately linked to this region.

But I also acknowledge the onus is on us to seize these opportunities.

This is why cultivating capability to engage and partner with the Indo-Pacific is absolutely vital.

You will also note the emphasis on this kind of capability building

The Australian Government is deeply committed to tackling climate change.

Acting at home and establishing Australia as a climate leader internationally.

We are taking a constructive role on climate change to support regional adaptation and resilience efforts.

Australia is committed to working with the countries in the region to build a resilient clean energy sector and unlock new trade and investment.

At the same time, we will work to remain a reliable contributor to the region’s energy security as the energy transition takes place.

We will continue to regional climate finance partnerships..

We can empower other countries to take meaningful local actions towards a sustainable future.

Here at home, Net Zero 2030 is the Government’s policy for government emissions..

OPPORTUNITY NOW AND IN THE DECADES AHEAD

From our own APS Reform agenda to the Southeast Asia Economic Strategy 2040.

In September this year, the Prime Minister launched the Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040.

The report has identified four key priorities:

1. raising awareness – strengthening understanding of markets, sectors and emerging trends;

2. removing blockages – addressing barriers to trade and investment;

3. building capability – ensuring Australia and the region have the skills and knowledge to work effectively together;

4. and deepening investment – supporting Australian investors to identify, develop and finalise prospective deals in the region.

Australia brings a lot to the table in expertise, goods, services, capital and its people.

The APS is key to this vision.

Our APS reform has enduring lessons that are worth sharing with intentional partners:

1. An APS that embodies integrity in all that it does;

2. An APS that puts people and business at the centre of policy and services;

3. An APS that is a model employer; and

4. An APS that has the capability to do its job well.

All 44 of our APS Reform Initiatives announced last year have been built on these pillars.

A quarter of those have now been completed.

Including the establishment of a National Anti-Corruption Commission and the creation of an APS Capability Reinvestment Fund.

Stage one of this process was to design a reform agenda that has integrity and trust at its foundation.

We are now entering stage two, which is implementing the reforms and embedding them across the APS.

This is a journey that requires the APS and the Government to work together.

A key area for development is developing building deeper knowledge and networks in Asia and the Pacific – and this program is crucial to that.

And we know that sharing our lessons helps retain and grow our knowledge.

CALD STRATEGY

I am also pleased to share some insights with you today on the Employment Strategy for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse people in the Australian Public Service.

Diversity is a strength.

Australia is a modern, diverse and multicultural society.

We are home to people from more than 250 different ancestries and the world’s oldest continuing culture.

Understanding of different perspectives gives you more power and tools to solve the problems of our times.

In the APS, representation of CALD Australian people is 23 per cent based on continent of birth.

In other words, the APS looks like the Australian population at large.

That’s the good news.

The bad news is that diversity is not reflected in middle and senior ranks of the APS.

Not even close.

That needs to change.

And the most concerning findings of all is that CALD APS employees report higher levels of discrimination and racism.

Racism is never acceptable.

And it has no place in the Australian Public Service.

We need to change.

And this is holding back policy development.

Myself and Minister Gallagher are determined to change this.

To give Australians a Public Service that is as good, welcoming and diverse as the Australian people themselves.

We will soon go to the final round of consultation to finalise the Employment Strategy for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse people in the Australian Public Service.

Message to participants

You have been selected for this Program, and can play the role of change makers in your own departments and areas of expertise.

Australia is now in the region that drives global economic growth.

The old “tyranny of distance” has been replaced by the “power of proximity.”

On so many metrics, the Indo-Pacific is more than ‘half the world.’

Your energy and investment into this program helps bring important shifts.

Shifts that position us as contributors to solving some of the key challenges of our time.

And position Australia for success with and in the Indo-Pacific.

You can bring about that positive impact for the APS, the nation and the region.

I wish you all the very best with your Program journey ahead.